43. Jo Fender

S3 E1 Re-Intro

After a quiet pause, Connect Raleigh returns with a reflection on why these conversations still matter. In this short standalone episode, host Chuck Belden shares why he stepped back, what brought him back, and why the stories of the people building their lives and work in Raleigh matter more than ever. It’s not about growth, headlines, or hype, it’s about people, perspective, and the feeling of belonging that keeps this community connected.

44. Grant Smith

It's not what you know....it's who you know. The Connect Raleigh networking group gives professionals in Raleigh a way to network socially while expanding their professional sphere by focusing on building quality relationships. It's also a fantastic opportunity to highlight who you are, what you do and most importantly...why you do it! Today I get to introduce you to one of our fantastic members Grant Smith, a sales and business development leader here in the area who is excited to meet new connections, build new relationships and explore new opportunities with great leaders and companies in the Triangle area. If this is the first you're hearing of Connect Raleigh, this group is great for long time locals as well as those new to town and is not just for those looking to expand their professional networks. It's for EVERYBODY. We believe everybody, in every profession, can benefit from networking. Meet ups will be a fun, social and informative networking experience often featuring guest speakers from varied aspects of downtown that will open all of our eyes to more possibilities in this great city of ours. Please join us. We look forward to meeting you.

43. Jo Fender

Jolene (Jo) Fender is a French Canadian expat that chose to move to North Carolina after getting a taste of snow birding during her maternity leave. She homeschools her 3 kids and started her own secular homeschool co-op to serve over 30 families currently here in the Triangle. She splits her time as best as she can between homeschooling, managing the co-op, creating social media content and helping others build a community of homeschoolers around them. If she's not doing any of that, you may find her out running, playing soccer, listening to true crime podcasts or camping. After the episode please connect with her to learn more about her experience living here in the Triangle or about her Homeschool Co-Op: @littlefenders on Instagram

42. Billy Richardson

A conversation with Billy Richardson is a good conversation to have. He's lived all around the county but chooses to call Raleigh home. He's a veterinarian, financial + business + soccer coach and really passionate about connecting to other humans and building strong relationships where we can help each other grow. He has a strong desire to gain understanding and perspective from the people he meets as we "do life" together. Originally from Elizabethtown, KY he grew up on the backside of Churchill Downs which ignited his interest and desire to become a veterinarian at the age of 12. He's practiced as a veterinarian in Florida, Charlotte, Los Angeles, and back to Raleigh to open Trinity Animal Hospital in Holly Springs on April 5th, 2016. He then sold the business, hit the pause button on veterinary medicine in June 2021 and has been exploring other opportunities along the way and what does it mean to be an entrepreneur. Check out the chat with Billy, go try some of his favorite places around Raleigh and then give him a follow @billydvm because he would love to get to know you and share a good cup of coffee with you.

41. Michelle Johnson

Today on the Connect Raleigh podcast we get to be Connect Durham...sort of. Our guest Michelle Johnson is with us today to talk about all that is going on around Durham including her brand spanking new DIY studio called Nailed It. I'll also talk a teeny tiny bit about what in the world is happening in the real estate market because it seems to be a little all over the place. If you're looking for more things to do in The Triangle or for more reasons to move here, dig into this podcast. Nailed It’s 32nd location in Durham, NC, is owned and operated by Michelle Johnson, a West Virginia native of Filipino descent. Motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic she, with the help of her husband Russell, fulfilled a life-long dream of owning her own businesses in the spring of 2022. Having lived in Durham for more than twenty years, she was ready to be a more intregal part of the community and provide a fun, inclusive experience in south Durham. In the retail section of the store you will find other small businesses selling their handmade goods in addition to the gifts and signs made in-house. In Michelle’s spare time you will find her planning a special event or family get-away. After you give it a listen, please connect with Michelle at: https://durham.naileditdiy.com [https://durham.naileditdiy.com/]  https://www.facebook.com/NailedItDIYDurham [https://www.facebook.com/NailedItDIYDurham] https://www.instagram.com/naileditdiydurham/ [https://www.instagram.com/naileditdiydurham/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-johnson-b798784/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-johnson-b798784/] And if you want to learn more about the process of buying or selling real estate, or working with a real estate agent, Let's see if we might be a good fit to work together. Take a look down there. 👀 You can find me at: Instagram- http://Www.instagram.com/chuckbelden Facebook- https://Www.facebook.com/chuckbelden Twitter- http://twitter.com/chuckbelden LinkedIn- http://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckbelden Or learn more about how we would work together: ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://calendly.com/chuckbelden/am-i-the-right-agent-for-you